Assessment of Soil and Surface Water Quality in Makhat’s Watershed (Taza Province, Morocco)

Abstract

Acid mine drainage (AMD) threats the soils and water bodies in the territories of the sulfide mining activities all over the world. Bouaazza’s mine (NE Morocco) lead and sulfides exploitation resulted in the surface exposure of large superficies of acid discharges. The results of physicochemical and geochemical analysis indicate an acidic pH (3.0 – 7.0) of water samples, with concentrations of lead exceeding Moroccan standards (50µg/L). The pH in soils is considered from slight up to moderate acidic (< 6.5), with low limestone content (< 6% of CaCO3), and high lead and zinc values exceeding international standards (300 mg/Kg). These results indicate the high health risk generated by the absence of environmental monitoring of the mining operations which threaten the water quality in the surrounding area.

Keywords

• acid mine drainage
• bouaazza’s mine
• mining discharges
• makhat’s watershed
• pollution